About Us
El Palacio is a quarterly magazine dedicated to covering the art, history, and culture of New Mexico and the greater Southwest, with emphasis on the museums, historic sites, exhibitions, and research of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA).
El Palacio is New Mexico’s oldest magazine. Founded in 1913, the magazine features articles, essays, poetry, photography, and illustrations, and offers multiple entry points for readers interested in learning about the region’s multifaceted histories and cultures.
A Brief History
El Palacio is the oldest museum magazine of its kind, first published in November 1913 by the Museum of New Mexico. Its name refers to the Museum of New Mexico’s first home in the Palace of the Governors, where it was printed alongside the School of American Archaeology (now the School for Advanced Research) and the Historical Society of New Mexico. This state museum system was created by an act of the territorial legislature in 1909, three years before New Mexico became a state on January 6, 1912.
In April 2003, the governor reorganized the Museum of New Mexico, establishing the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), which elevated the office to cabinet-level status.
In the beginning, El Palacio was published as a thin pamphlet that covered the archaeology of the Southwest U.S., Central America, and South America. Over the decades it transformed into a glossy magazine with color photographs and advertising that covered the art, history, and culture of the Southwest. The editorial and design decisions have shifted over time in a reflection of the sensibilities of the time and the particular interests and vision of each of El Palacio’s editors. (See a full list of El Palacio’s editors here.)
Under DCA’s stewardship, the magazine continues to cover the art, culture, and history of the Southwest as reflected in the exhibits, public programs, and scholarship of the department’s eight museums: the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, the Museum of International Folk Art, the National Hispanic Cultural Center, the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, the New Mexico History Museum, the New Mexico Museum of Art, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, and the New Mexico Museum of Space History; its eight state historic sites: Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner, Coronado, Fort Selden, Fort Stanton, Jemez, Lincoln, Los Luceros, and Taylor-Mesilla; and its other divisions: New Mexico Arts, the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division, the New Mexico Office of Archaeological Studies, and the New Mexico State Library.
From its inception in 1913, El Palacio has endeavored to tell the histories of the region that go beyond the surface. It is, as old-timers say, “a storied magazine” that is respected by the public and scholars alike, for its dedication to telling all the stories of New Mexico.
El Palacio Staff
![A woman with short brown hair, glasses, and hoop earrings is smiling in front of a wooden fence, wearing a white sleeveless top with lace detail. [gen-ai]](https://elpalacio.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Emily_IMG_1830-Enhanced-NR-2.jpg)
Emily Withnall
Emily is the editor of El Palacio and the host of Encounter Culture. Prior to stepping into the editor role, she wrote for El Palacio for eight years. Emily has also been published in The New York Times, Al Jazeera, High Country News, Orion Magazine, Tin House, The Kenyon Review, Gay Magazine, Source New Mexico, and other publications. She lives and writes in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Read her work at emilywithnall.com.
![A man with glasses, a goatee, and a bald head wears a blue velvet jacket, patterned shirt, and bolo tie against a dark background. [gen-ai]](https://elpalacio.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Daniel_TiraHowardPhotography7397-400x400.jpg)
Daniel Zillmann
Daniel has served as the Director of Communications and Marketing for New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and Publisher for El Palacio magazine since 2020. An experienced PR and communications professional, his roles span multiple sectors including corporate, non-profit, and government positions. His leadership positions with Minnesota Opera and Santa Fe Opera have ignited a passion for cultural and arts organizations, leading to his love of New Mexico and its cultural landscape. Daniel thrives on telling the diverse stories that promote engagement with the state’s museums, historic sites, and cultural institutions statewide.
![A middle-aged man with short gray hair wearing a blue button-down shirt, smiling slightly against a dark studio background. [gen-ai]](https://elpalacio.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/David_color_TiraHowardPhotography7487.jpg)
David Rohr
David has served as the El Palacio art director since 2005, with many years of graphic design and digital interactive experience. In his role as Executive Director of the Museum Resources Division, he oversees exhibition development, conservation, the Museum of New Mexico Press, and the Wonders on Wheels mobile museum. David is dedicated to supporting culture and creativity through engaging visual design.
![A woman with long brown hair smiles while reclining on an outdoor wicker chair, wearing a gray top, black cardigan, and red earphones. [gen-ai]](https://elpalacio.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AndreaKlunderCVR_20210327-FINAL-e1639427800678.jpg)
Andrea Klunder
Andrea Klunder, creative director, producer & strategist at The Creative Impostor Studios, works with organizations, businesses, and brands who want to craft purpose-driven podcasts to upend the status quo in their niche. In addition to Encounter Culture, The Creative Impostor Studios works with clients such as the Santa Fe Opera, the NARM Training Institute, Del Norte Credit Union, and more. As a teaching artist, Andrea has developed youth mentoring programs for After School Matters, the University of Florida, and Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Academy. Andrea also produces and hosts Podcast Envy and The Creative Impostor podcasts. She loves speaking to creative community leaders and students about the power of podcasting. Her mission is to help your voice to shine!
Natalie Baca
Natalie is an award-winning designer with decades of experience in art direction, publication design and production, logo and advertising design, and 2D exhibition development, design, and installation. Natalie began her work with the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs in 2008, where she served as the lead graphic designer for the New Mexico History Museum. Now with the Museum Resource Division, Natalie supports multiple museums and is passionate about developing compelling designs that uplift the stories behind them.
Troy M. Bradley
Troy is a professional graphic designer with more than 30 years of experience in publication, exhibition, advertising, and logo design. Troy has worked with New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs for 9 years, first at National Hispanic Cultural Center, and now within the Museum Resources Division. Troy enjoys developing unique and creative designs that capture the essence of each project.
Autumn Leach
Autumn is an experienced graphic designer with key roles in publication, exhibition, advertising, and logo design. For the last 20 years, Autumn has worked for New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs supporting multiple museums, historic sites, and cultural institutions throughout the state. Her work emphasizes creativity, attention to detail, and a commitment to bringing stories to life through design. Autumn is a key leader in organizing each issue of El Palacio magazine, finalizing the layout, placing advertisements, and ensuring the magazine’s quality.
Monica Meehan
For more than 35 years, Monica has been designing and producing innovative, award-winning work—with an emphasis on communicating the client’s message—in a wide range of both print and digital applications. She has been a graphic designer for El Palacio magazine since 2008.
Amy Wilder
Amy Wilder has over twenty years of experience as a writer and editor for various content forms, including newspapers, magazines, and blogs. She’s worked as an art critic, arts and culture features writer, copy editor at The Santa Fe New Mexican, and as editor of Plane & Pilot Magazine. Wilder earned master’s degrees in liberal arts and in Eastern Classics at St. John’s College, Santa Fe. She earned her Visual Culture degree at the University of Central Missouri. In her free time she is a private pilot, artist, and herder of cats.
Marcella Scott
Marcella is a freelance advertising sales representative who has proudly supported El Palacio magazine for several years. A St. John’s College alumna with strong ties to the Santa Fe and New Mexico arts and business communities, she enjoys helping local businesses connect with the audiences that matter most through thoughtful placements in El Palacio magazine.